ICC World Twenty20: Australia v West Indies preview

West Indies skipper Darren Sammy has warned Australia that his team are ready to do their talking on the pitch in Friday's ICC World Twenty20 Group Two clash in Dhaka.

Sammy was responding to Australia all-rounder James Faulkner's attempts to unsettle the defending champions ahead of the game.

"Talk is talk. We have got to talk the talk out there on the cricket field. He can say all he wants. We are not bothered by it."

Darren Sammy

Faulkner claimed that he does "not particularly like" the West Indies players, but Sammy has laughed off the comments ahead of a pivotal match in the group.

"The Australians normally have a lot to say. We are here to play cricket," said Sammy, whose side lost their opening match against India before thrashing hosts Bangladesh.

"I think probably James is the only cricketer that does not love West Indians. I could safely say West Indies are the second favourite team for the fans. It does not bother us.

"Talk is talk. We have got to talk the talk out there on the cricket field. He can say all he wants. We are not bothered by it."

Memories

Australia lost their opening match to Pakistan by 16 runs and a second defeat at the Shere Bangla National Stadium would almost certainly end their semi-final hopes.

West Indies halted Australia's run at the last World Twenty20 - with a comfortable 74-run win at the semi-final stage - and Sammy believes the memories of that match will have more bearing on this game than any Australian talk.

"The last time we played them in a World Cup, we all know what happened," he said.

"If anybody should be talking, probably it should be ... we are not threatened by him.

"It is another game of cricket. Once we play to our full potential - so far in this tournament, we have not played to our full potential - we will be very destructive. We were destructive in that semi-final last World Cup."

Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin believes the cut-throat nature of the game should inspire his side.

"Sometimes, that can relieve the pressure because you know where you stand now," he said.

"There is no second chance for us. We have got to make sure that we bring our A-game and deliver under pressure. We have done that well over the last four months and I see no reason why we can't continue with that."

Faulkner is set to return to Australia's starting XI after being sidelined with a knee injury since January.

West Indies opener Chris Gayle missed training on Thursday but Sammy suggested he would be fit to play.

"As far as I know, Chris doesn't intend to miss any matches in this World Cup," he said.

"I don't think any cricketer can ever be perfect on a cricket field. They always have some niggle - whether it is the finger or the hamstring feeling sore. Nobody is ever perfect when they are out there. So he is fit to play."

Watch Australia take on West Indies live on Sky Sports 2HD at 9am on Friday.